Lubrication system for sewing machines



July 27, 1954 A. c. PETERSON ET AL 2,584,652

LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Aug. 2. 1950 a Sheets-Sheet z E FIG. 2

IN V EN TORS.

1 ALBERT c. PETERSON BY JOHN G. ATTWOOD ATTOR NEY.

A. c. PETERSON ET AL 8 ,652

LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR SEWING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 27, 1954 Filed Aug. 2, 1950 FIG. 3

. INVENTORS.

" ALBERT C. PETERSON JOHN G. ATTWOOD ATTORNEY.

July 27, 1954 A. c. PETERSON ET AL LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR SEWING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 2, 1950 FIG. 6

FIG. 7

IN V EN TORS. ALBERT C PETERSON JOHN G. ATTWOOD ATLTORNEY.

July 27, 1954 A. c. PETERSON ET AL 2, ,65

LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR SEWING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 2, 1950 INVENTORS. ALBERT C. PETERSON H T BY JO N G A TWOOD 54C.

ATTO RNEY.

July 2? 1954 A. c. PETERSON ET AL LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR SEWING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 2, 1.950

FIG. I4

FIG. I3

INVENTORS. ALBERT C. PETERSON BY JOHN G. ATTWOOD ATTORNEY.

Patented July 27, 1954 LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR SEWING MACHINES Albert 0. Peterson, Park Ridge, and John G. Attwood, Oak Park, 111., assignors to Union Special Machine Company, Chicago, 111., a. corporation of Illinois Application August 2, 1950, Serial No. 177,154

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to industrial sewing machines and more particularly to the provision of means in such machines for effecting automatic lubrication and cooling of the principal vision of means for delivering a part of the excess lubricant thrown from certain parts to important bearings; the provision of a simple unitary structure serving as a support for the map ra parts, thereby enabling nti u us and chine and a lubricant collecting sump equipped safe operation of the machines at high speeds. it filtering means, pumping means and flow It relates particularly to machines of the overregulating means, all cooperating for most efild seaming yp and esp y maehines 0f cient operation; and heat dissipating means comth Character w h are not q pp d t prising an arrangement for rapid transfer of P y Closed lubricant-tight housin heat from the operating parts to the atmosphere It has been found difficult to provide adequate lubrication for machines of the foregoing character, without leakage or spattering of the lubricant in such a way that it soils the work or the clothing of the operator. Moreover, prior lubrication systems for these machines have required continuous replacement of the lubricant and frequently the need for replenishment has not been noted in time to avoid serious overheating of the machine.

It has been a primary object of the invention to provide a lubrication system for machines of the character indicated which involves continuous recirculation of a quantity of lubricant, free from contamination by filler materials, lint and dust. Toward this end provision is made for collecting in a substantially, but not fully, enclosed sump the excess lubricant which drips from the constantly lubricated parts. The collected lubricant is then filtered and returned continuously to a reservoir at the top of the machine for delivery to the various operating parts.

Another object has been to provide a system of the foregoing character in which efi'ective lubrication is achieved of all of the wear receiving surfaces of the operating mechanism without within the machine frame and the continuous removal of the heated air from within the frame.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the detailed description of an illustrative form of the invention which will now be given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a view, partly in front elevation and partly in vertical section, showing an overedger with an associated lubricant reservoir pan, constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention, mounted in a table top;

Fig. 2 is a side elvational view of the machine and reservoir pan mounted in a table top which is shown in cross-section, the machine and pan being mounted in a different relation to the table top than in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal section through the machine, reservoir pan and supporting table top, the parts being in the same relation as in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail view, in elevation, showing one of the special lubricant delivery elements embodied in the machine;

Fig. 5 is a detail view, in perspective, showing a guard or deflector provided in the machine;

Fig. 6 is a detail view, partly in elevation and circulating a substantial excess of the lubricant partly in vertical section, showing a corner of over that required for the purpose. Toward this an oil reservoir in the machine with an associated end, means are provided for delivering the lubrilubricant level gauge;

' cant directly to the points of use and adjustable Fig. '7 is a top: plan view of the lubricant resermeans are included for regulating the supply of lubricant from the collecting sump to the elevated reservoir.

A further object has been to provide simple but effective means, in a machine of the character indicated, for removing heat from the main operating parts, thereby minimizing deterioration of the lubricant and enabling long continuous operation of the machine at high speeds.

Important features of the construction, which assist in attaining the foregoing objects, are the provision of special lubricant delivering elements for supplying lubricant from the reservoir to the precise points where it is required; the provoir pan or plate, the base of the sewing machine being indicated in outline by broken lines thereon;

Fig. 8 is an outer face view of a combined handwheel and pulley mounted on the main shaft of the machine;

Fig. 9 is an axial sectional view through the handwheel and pulley;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view showing the inner face of the handwheel and pulley;

Fig. 11 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, showing the reservoir pan and. its mounting means;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail view, in section 3 through a wall of the reservoir pan, showing a lubricant pump carried thereby and associated conduits;

Fig. 13 is a face view of a gear housing spacer forming part of the pump assembly;

Fig. 1 1 is a face view of an end cover member for the lubricant pump;

Fig. 15 is a detail View showing in elevation a portion of the frame of the machine in the region of the main shaft, the latter being shown in section; and

Fig. 16 is an elevational view of the lubricant pump assembly.

Referring now to the drawings, the invention has been illustrated as applied to an overedge sewing machine of the general type disclosed in the patents to Christensen, .et al. No. 1,751,5Q8, granted March 25, 1930; Zeier No. 1,864,391, granted June 21, 1932; Rubel No. 2,494,901, granted January 1'7, 1950; and Sauer No. 2,5025%, granted 'March 28, 1959. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited for use in connection with this specific type of machine.

In Figs. 1, 2 and -3 there is shown, in section, the top IQ of a sewing table of any suitable construction. On this is mounted a lubricant reservoir pan II which serves to carry the sewing machine designated generally at i2. The rela tionship between the table top and the sewing machine with its connected reservoir pan may be either as indicated in Fig. 1 or as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. In the latter arrangement a horizontally extending flange Ha at the top of the reservoir pan is disposed above the top of the table and is supported by a plurality (preferably 4) of vibration isolating members. These may suitably be similar to those shown in the patent to Thompson No. 1,948,193, granted February 20, 1934. Each may comprise a central pin or stud l3 having an enlarged lower head portion i3a pressed into and surrounded by a cylindrical vibration absorbing element i5 formed of cork or felt or the like. The lower and upper ends of element it are enclosed and retained by a pair of cup-like members I l and i6. Pin 53 extends through an opening in the member is from which it projects a suitable distance to cooperatewith an opening 5 lb (Fig. 7 provided in the flange 1 la of the reservoir pan. The pin it may a be secured in any suitable way to the flange, as by a relatively tight fit or by screw threads or by a knurled or ribbed formation or the like. The vibration absorbing units are adapted to fit snugly into suitable recesses provided in theupper surface of the top 10 of the table. An opening lea (Figs. 2 and 3) is provided through the table top to receive the main body of the reservoir pan, this opening being of suitable size to provide the necessary clearance.

In Fig. 1 there is shown an alternative arrangement of the sewing machine and reservoir pan in relation to the table top. This may be employed when it is desired to have the work supporting surface of the sewing machine closer to the top of the table. The reservoir pan H in this arrangement is disposed completely below the table top. It is suspended in this position by means of bolts i3b cooperating with the holes lib in the flange I la of the reservoir pan. Nuts 53d above and below the flange Ila serveto retain the pan in any desired position along the bolts. To absorb vibration each of the'bolts [3b is surrounded by an element l5a formed of cork or compressed felt or other suitable vibration absorbing material retained by cup-like elements Ma and Mia. The upper end of each bolt 13b is provided with an enlarged head [30 cooperating with the upper face of the cup 16a to maintain the parts in properly assembled relation. When this arrangement of the parts is employed the table is not only provided-With suitable recesses or pockets to receive the vibration absorbing members, but the bottoms of these recesses are provided with openings through which the bolts 1151) may extend downwardly. The table top is also provided with a somewhat larger opening Eb than is provided for the arrangements of Figs. 2 and 13 topermit the free passage of the base ll of the sewing machine through this opening.

In either of thearrangements described above, the base ll of the sewing machine is secured to the flange Ha of the reservoir pan. For this purpose the base of the machine frame is provided with a plurality of laterally extending foot portions I8, I 9 and 20 (Fig. 7) provided with suitable openings aligned with threaded openings 2| in the flange of the reservoir pan. Screws 22 (Fig. 2) or 22a (Fig. 1) countersunk in the openings in the foot portions of the sewing machine frame and threaded into the tapped holes 2| serve to secure the parts in the manner shown.

In upwardly extending portions Ila and lib of the frame of the sewing machine, a main operating shaft 23 is journaled. Bearing sleeves or bushings 24 and 25 having a press fit in suitable openings in the frame serve to support the shaft with its axis inclined somewhat to the horizontal to facilitate operation of the reciprocating needle in the manner to be explained. At its left end (Fig. 3) the shaft extends outwardly from the frame and carries a combined handwheel and pulley 28 adapted to receive power for operating the machine by means of a V-belt 2? connected, in a manner well understood, with a power driving unit preferably carried by the table beneath the top it. This belt passes through an opening Tia. (Figs. 3 and 7) provided in the laterally extending flange of the reservoir pan. It also passes downwardly through the opening illa or 19b in the table top. At the opposite end of the shaft 23 there is carried a crank. arm 28 which, through a pivotally connected link 29, serves to reciprocate a needle bar 30 mounted in a'bearing sleeve 3i carried by the frame of the machine. Needle bar as is disposed at asmall acute angle to the vertical, its axis being perpendicular to that of the shaft 23. A needle 32 carried by the needle bar is thus caused to reciprocate along a line best suited for the production of an overedge stitch in conjunction with the complementary stitch forming devices. The latter include an under looper 33 carried by an arm 34 arranged for oscillation, in a manner well known in the art, and also include an overedge looper or spreader 35 carried by an arm 36 arranged to impart suitable oscillatory movements to the overedge element. The particular form and arrangement and mode of operation of the stitch forming devices constitute no part of the present invention. These may, if desired, be constructed in accordance with the abovementioned patent to Zeier No. 1,864,391 or they may, if desired, be formed and, arranged in accordance with the patent to Rubel No. 2,494,901; Suflice it to say that the loopers .or looper and spreader may be operated by-a plurality of eccentrics 31 and 38 (Fig. 3) carried by the shaft 2,3. These eccenwith straps at the upper ends of pitmen 39 and 40 which are, in turn, connected through suitable mechanism with the looper carriers.

For advancing the work in the course of stitch formation, a feed dog of conventional form may be employed. The shank 4| of such a feed dog is indicated in Fig. 3, this being secured to a reciprocating bar 42 connected by a link 43 with an arm 44 of a feed rocker carried by a shaft 45. Suitable connections are provided from the main shaft for oscillating the feed rocker, these connections including a pitman 46 having a strap at its upper end cooperating with a spherical eccentric 4! on the main shaft. Lifting and lowering movements are imparted to the feed dog by a link 48 connected at its lower end in a suitable manner with the feed bar supporting means and at its upper end with a pin 49 connected by a pitman 50 with a spherical eccentric i on the main shaft. Pin 49 extends outwardly from an arm 52 pivotally mounted at 53 on the frame, this arm carrying at its outer end a trimmer blade 54. The latter cooperates with a stationary trimmer blade 55 (Figs. 1 and 2) suitably mounted below the work supporting surface of the machine.

Cooperating with the feed dog in advancing the work is a presser foot 56 (Figs. 1 and 2) carried by the forward end of an arm 51 carried by a rockably mounted shaft journaled in the frame. As will be understood the arm 51 is normally spring urged to yieldingly press the presser foot against the work. Whenever desired, it may be lifted from the work by means of an arm 58 (Figs. 2 and 3) secured to the rock shaft carrying the arm 51. A chain 59 or other suitable connection from the arm 58 may be attached at its other end to a foot treadle or knee operated member for lifting the presser foot when desired. The chain 59 passes downwardly through an opening 59a in the flange of the reservoir pan (Fig. 7) and through an aligned opening provided in the table top.

The improved lubrication system of the machine involves a main lubricant reservoir 60 at the top of the frame. This reservoir is formed as a casting separate from the main frame and is secured to the two upstanding portions We and ll!) of the frame by means of a plurality of screws 6| and 62 (Fig. 3). Along the under surface of the reservoir there is provided a flat strip 63 of felt or other suitable material adapted to collect and convey lubricant by capillary action. The left end of the strip is interposed between the top of the main frame extension Ila and an outwardly extending flange at the bottom of the reservoir casting. Similarly, the right end of the strip is interposed between the upper end of the frame extension [lb and an outwardly extending flange of the reservoir casting. The top of the reservoir is closed by a cover 64. Lubricant is maintained within the reservoir to a level indicated at 65. Any excess lubricant delivered to the reservoir, in the manner to be explained, is returned through an overflow tube 66 to a sump in the reservoir pan H. An inlet opening 6! is provided through one side wall of the reservoir, above the level 55, for themtroduction of lubricant. As shown in Fig. 6, a gauge is preferably provided to indicate at all times the level of the lubricant within the reservoir. This may suitably be in the form of an extension 63 projecting from one wall of the reservoir and capped bya transparent member 59 formed of glass or a suitable plastic, such .as

Lucite. Extension 68 is provided with a passage 10 communicating at its lower end with the interior of the reservoir and at its upper end with a similar passage ll provided in the cap 69. The upper end of the passage H is preferably reduced in diameter and extends to the top of the cap to permit the free passage of air.

For delivering lubricant from the reservoir to the various eccentrics on the main shaft 23 there is provided a series of wick filled tubes 12 (Figs. 3 and 4) extending through the bottom wall of the reservoir and projecting downwardly a suitable distance therefrom. Wicking 73 carried by the tubes extends into the reservoir to receive lubricant and conduct it by capillary action to the lower ends of the tubes. At the lower end of each tube there is provided a small loop of wire 14 having its free end soldered or brazed orotherwise secured to the outer surface of the tube 12 adjacent its lower end. The lubricant, due to its surface tension, spreads out at the lower ends of the tubes 12 to the wire loops 14 and is then conducted by combined capillary action and gravity along these loops to their outer ends. These loops 14 are preferably formed of copper or brass or other metal which may be readily bent and remain set in any desired shape. This enables the lower ends of the loops to be located closely adjacent to the point where the lubricant is desired. As shown in Fig. 3, they may serve to deliver the lubricant directly to the side surfaces of the several eccentrics 37, 38, 4'! and 5|. The relatively thin character of the wire and the flat form of the loops enables the latter to fit between closely spaced parts for the delivery of the lubricant to precise points. In lieu of the wire loops 74, each of the tubes 72 may, if desired, be provided with similarly shaped elements formed of thin sheet material adapted to be readily bent and remain set in the manner explained. Also a single wire, not looped, may be attached to the lower end of a tube 72 at only one side and bent in the same manner.

While the wick filled tubes T2 are arranged to deliver a relatively small, regulated amount of lubricant to the eccentrics a certain excess beyond the actual lubrication requirements of the eccentrics will be supplied. This excess is thrown by centrifugal force from the eccentrics and a portion is deposited upon the under surface of the strip 63. By capillary action the lubricant so received will be delivered to the opposite ends of the strip. The portion delivered toward the left (Fig. 3) will be supplied to wicking 15 extending from the under surface of the strip 63 to the surface of the journaled portion of the shaft 23 within the bearing sleeve 24. The frame and bearing sleeve will, of course, be provided with aligned openings for this purpose. Wicking 16 may be provided on the under side of the journaled portion of the shaft and held in engagement with the latter by a spring l"! to insure the maintenance of an adequate supply of lubricant at the bearing. In a similar manner the right end of the strip 63 serves to deliver lubricant to the upper end of wicking 18 provided in a vertical passage in the frame communicating with the bearing sleeve 25 and extending through the latter to the surface of the iournaled portion of shaft 23. At an intermediate point the passage containing the wicking l8 communicates with a laterally extending tube 79 which carries suitable wicking for conducting a small part of the lubri-' cant from the wicking 18 to one or more of the pointsrequiring lubrication in the needle bar. reciprocating mechanism, such asthe pivotal con-t. nectionbetween the crank 28 and link.- 29. Beneath the journaled portion of the shaft 23. wicking. 80'is provided to maintain an adequate supply of lubricant at'thebearing. Excess lubricant will be delivered to a passage 8I from which it is discharged by a tube 82 to parts beneath it, which may require lubrication, and some will be returnedto the sump.

Turning now to the reservoir pan, this, as best shown in Fig. 3, isprovided with a lubricant receivingispace 83 above a large filter member 8-43. Any excess lubricant delivered to the various operating-parts of the machine will be returned by gravity -to the space 83. The filtering member 84 is preferably formed of a plurality oflayers, the upper and lower of which are relatively coarse screens carrying between them a layer of felt or the like; Thisarrangement is such that any lint carriedalong with the lubricant and deposited on the upper surface of the filter member will serve simply to increase slightly the thickness of the filter member without tending to clog it appreciably. Eventually the filter member may become clogged-with fine particles of filler materials removed from the work in the course of stitching the same. However, because of the character of the filter member and its relatively large area, it need not .be replaced or cleaned except at relatively longintervals. Whenever cleaning or replacement is required, the filter member may be readily removed, after the pan is separated from the machine frame upon removal of. the three screws 22 and 220., since it .is simply retained by gravity on an inwardly extending shoulder 85 provided around the several walls of the reservoir pan.

Beneath the filter-member 84, a downwardly extending portion 86 of the reservoir pan provides .a sump for the accumulation of the excess lubricant. In a thickened wall portion 81 of the sump there is mounted a cylindrical. pump housing 88 having a radially extendingfiange 89 secured by screws Beer the like to theouter'face of the wall 81. A suitable gasket is preferably providedbetween the flange 39 and the outer face of thewall. Within the member 88 there is journaled .a shaft QI which carries on its outer end a pulley 92. The latter is arranged to cooperate with the outer face of one branch of the belt 2? in its passage from the pulley ofthe power drive (not shown) to the pulley 26- of the sewing-ma: chine. At its inner end the shaftSI carriesa gear 93- which may, if desired, beformed, inte= grally with the shaft. This gear meshes with another gear 54 carried by a spindle: 95ziournaled in a suitable opening in the member 88 parallel with the shaft 9 I; Gears 93- and iform a pump; the parts of which are best shown in Figs. 12, 13,- 14-.and.16. A-disc 95 having a slightly greater thickness than the width ofthe gears-.93 and 94 is: provided a with a clover-like aperture at its center to partially surround the gearsandprovide intake and discharge ports. Outwardly of the disc 96 is a closure disc- 91, which, together with thediscSG, is suitablysecured to the-hous ing 88by=a plurality of screws 98. An opening 99 extending through the disc 91 communicates with the intake sideof the gear pump and serves to deliverlubricant from the sump to the pump. A discharge passage ice is provided in the housing member 88 at theopposite side of the :gears 93 and-94; This discharge passage; as best shown 1192.:Fig. 16; extends in a directioniparallel with the: axis; of the, member 88 and; communicates with anotherpassage: I 00a which extends'radially, to the outersurface of the housingmember. The outer end of the passage lflflacommunicateswith a passage IflI provided in thewall 81 of thereservoir pan. Passage IE'I, in turn, communicates with an upwardly extending passage I02 which receives a threaded-nipple I03 forming part-of a union serving to connect the lower end of .a conduit I04 with the reservoir pan. This-conduit at its upper end is connected'with the inlet opening 61 intheupper reservoir. A plug; I05 at the outer end-ofthepassage IIJI facilitates cleaning of the passage and also its formation in the course of manufacture. At an intermediate point the passage lflI is provided with a later.- ally extending branch lilfi'of relatively small :diameter communicating with the sump. It will be apparent that a portion of the lubricant. discharged by the pump will be delivered through this bypass I96 directly back to the sump and only the remaining portion will be delivered :to the reservoir 60. For the purpose of controlling the amount of lubricant which is bypassed, and hence the amount which is delivered to .the upper reservoir, a needle valve I01 is provided .(Fig.. 11). Thismay be suitably adjustedand then locked in set position by anut I08.

The reservoir pan is preferably provided with a spout-like extension Ida. (Fig- 1) which :projects outwardly and upwardly from one wall of the sump at an angle of about 45. A filling open? ing IIG (Figs. 3 and 7) is provided lengthwise of the spout andcarries at its upper end a removable screw plug Ilsa (Fig. 2). On removal'of the latter the lubricant in the sump may be replenished. An oil gauge, preferably in the formof a Lucite plug Ill, similar to that-disclosed in the patent to Sauer No. 2,301,460; granted November 10, 1942, extending from the. outerend of the spoutto the inner end thereof, may be provided to indicate the level of the lubricantin the sump.

To prevent-overheatingof the machine during highspeedoperations over long periods vof time, special cooling means-are provided. These include a disc I I2-formed of a good heat conducting metal, such as copper or aluminum, secured in any. suitable way to the shaft 23 intermediate the eccentrics. 31 and 2?. This disc serves to pick up heat from the shaft and its connected parts, by conduction, and the heat is then conveyed quickly to the periphery-of the disc.- The latter, by virtue of its rapid movement, serves to transfer the heat to theair within the housing. Continuous movement of the air within the housingand constant withdrawal of the heated-air is effected by meansof a fan I IBiFigs. 9 and 10) whichlis secured to the inner face of .the hand wheel andtpulley ZEi-by means of a plurality of screws H t. The fan comprises simply athin disc havingbent up portions I I5 projecting ;from the facethereofand extending radially outwardly from. points neartheaxis of the pulleymember tothe-peripherythereof. The blades IE5 provide a. centrifugal bloweraction serving to discharge radiallyoutward-ly the air which is drawn in adjacent the-inner-endsofthe blades. Such. air is supplied. through openings ;I I 6 (Fig; 15) provided through theupwardly extending-portion IIa of the framearound-and; closely adjacent to the bearing. sleeve 24: It will'be apparent thatzin this wayjthe heatedrairxis constantly withdrawn from the interior: of 5 the-housing whenever the machine isiinbperation. Sincethe frame; as

previously indicated, is not air-tight, air may enter the same freely at a number of points to replace the air withdrawn. The arrangement is such that a relatively large volume of air may be drawn into and discharged from the interior of the frame without producing high velocity movement of the air. Accordingly, very little lubricant is entrained in the air that is withdrawn. To reduce further the tendency to entrain lubricant in the air withdrawn from the housing, a guard member H1 (Figs. 3 and 5) is provided. This has a plate-like portion H8 provided with openings H9 adapted to receive the screws 5i and an opening I I 9a through which the wicking may pass. The plate-like portion i 8 is interposed between the top of, the frame extension Ila and the under surface of the strip 63. A downwardly extending portion I of the guard member is slotted, as indicated at i2i (Fig. 5), to straddle the shaft Portion I29 extends over the inner ends of the openings i iii through the frame but is spaced slightly therefrom. The arrangement is such that lubricant mist cannot be discharged directly through the openings H6 but adequate space is provided for the movement of air around the edges of portion 12?) at a relatively low velocity to the inner ends of the openings HG. The major portion of any lubricant mist that may be entrained in the air will be deposited on the various interior surfaces, including those on the member i ll, before the air reaches the fan. Such lubricant will then be returned to the sump.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides fully automatic means for lubricating the various relatively moving surfaces of the operating parts of an overedge sewing machine of the character indicated. The lubricant is continuously recirculated, in the course of supplying adequate lubricant to the surfaces requiring the same, and through the provision of the filtering means it is insured that only clean lubricant is so supplied. This is in spite of the accessibility of the lubricant to lint, filler materials and other objectionable particles. As a consequence the machine is capable of continuous operation at higher speeds than heretofore, and this is made further possible by the provision of the cooling means.

While an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described in considerable detail and various modifications have been suggested, it will be understood that numerous other changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the various parts without departing from the general principles and scope of the invention.

What we claim is:

1. In an overedge sewing machine having a frame, a main drive shaft carried by said frame and projecting therefrom, stitch forming and work feeding devices carried thereby, connections from said shaft for operating said devices and a housing carried by said frame and in conjunction therewith substantially but not c0mpletely enclosing said operating means, said frame carrying a lubricant reservoir adjacent its top, the combination of a pan for supporting said frame, said pan having a lubricant collecting sump therein, said frame having an opening in the bottom thereof communicating with said sump, filter means carried by said pan above said sump, a rotary pump mounted in a wall of said pan with its axis substantially parallel with said main drive shaft and having an intake orifice communicating with said sump, common means for operating said pump and driving said machine, connections from said pump for delivering lubricant withdrawn from said sump to said reservoir, and regulatable means in a wall of said pan cooperating with said connections and providing a bypass therefrom for returning directly to said sump a variable portion of the lubricant handled by said pump.

2. In an overedge sewing machine having a frame, stitch forming and work feeding devices carried thereby, means for operating said devices and a housing carried by said frame and in conjunction therewith substantially but not completely enclosing said operating means, said frame carrying a lubricant reservoir adjacent its top, the combination of a pan for supporting said frame, said frame having an opening in the bottom thereof connecting with said pan, said pan having a substantially flat top, an inwardly extending shoulder on the walls of said pan intermediate its top and bottom surfaces, filter means carried by said shoulder and serving to divide the space within said pan horizontally into two compartments, the lower compartment constituting a lubricant sump, said filter means being of multilayer construction adapted to remove lint and fine particles from the lubricant and being of such area as to extend beneath the major portion of said housing, a rotary pump mounted in a wall of said pan and having its intake side communicating with said sump, means for driving said pump in coordination with said machine, and means connecting the discharge side of said pump with said reservoir.

3. In an overedge sewing machine having a frame, stitch forming and work feeding devices carried thereby, means for operating said devices and a housing carried by said frame and in conjunction therewith substantially but not com pletely enclosing said operating means, said frame carrying a lubricant reservoir adjacent its top, the combination of a pan for supporting said frame, said frame having an opening in the bottom thereof communicating with said pan, said pan having a substantially flat top, an inwardly extending shoulder on the walls of said pan intermediate its top and bottom surfaces, filter means carried by said shoulder and serving to divide the space within said pan horizontally into two compartments, the lower compartment constituting a lubricant sump, said filter means being of multilayer construction adapted to remove lint and fine particles from the lubricant and being of such area as to extend beneath the major portion of said housing, a rotary pump mounted in a wall of said pan and having its intake side communicating with said sump, means for driving said pump in coordination with said machine, means connecting the discharge side of said pump with said reservoir, and a valve controlled port in said wall in which said pump is mounted communicating at one end with said connecting means and at its other end with said sump for returning a regulatable portion of the lubricant discharged by said pump directly to said sump.

4. In an overedge sewing machine having a frame, stitch forming and work feeding devices carried thereby, means for operating said devices and a housing carried by said frame and in conjunction therewith substantially but not completely enclosing said operating means, said frame carrying a lubricant reservoir adjacent its top, the combination of a pan for supporting said frame, said frame having an opening in the 1 bottom thereof communicating with said pan, said pan having a lubricant collecting sump therein, multilayer filter means carried by-said pan above said sump, a 'pump "carriedby s'aid pan and arranged to receive lubricant from said sump and deliver it to said IQSBIVOHQFIHBQIIISYTOI driving said pump in coordination with saidmachine, and means including wick filled tubes communicating with said reservoir and terminating at their outer ends in pointed wire-likeelements for delivering lubricant fromsaid reservoir by capillary action and gravity to 'the preciseportions of said'devicesrequiringlubrication, said filter -means being arranged to catch =rexcess lubricant= so delivere'd and pass- 'the same to said sump.

5. In a sewingma'chine having a'frame carrying stitChTorming :and woi'kfeeding devices, a main operating shaftand connections; therefrom for operating said devices,- meanSTQrlubricating certain relatively moving parts of said connections comprising a reservoir 'for lubricant-" dis posedabove said shaft,'-wickfi1led tubes extending fromthe lower portion of'said'reservoimand wire like elements'connecte'd with sai'd tubes-adjacent'their outer ends arid--extending' to points adjacent said parts, said tubes being arranged to deliver thereby lubricant by capillary action to said elements for delivery to said parts" by combined-capillary action and gravity.

6. In a sewing machine'having a 'frame carrying stitch formingan'd workfeeding devices,- a main operating shaft, bearings'car'ried'by said frame in which said sha ft'is journalled, said bearings having lubricant receiving means, and connections from said shaft'for' operating saiddevices, means 'for'lubricating said bearings and certain relatively moving parts of said connections comprising-a reservoir dispose'dabove said shaft, means for delivering lubricant from said reservoir to said parts, operation of said parts causing excess' lubricant to -be thrown therefrom, and broad capillary lubricant conducting means disposed adjacent said parts and presenting --a large'fiat surface exposed tothe latterto receive directly said excess lubricant thrown from said moving parts and extending to pointsadjacent said bearings for delivery oflubricant directly to said lubricant receiving means.

'7."In a sewingmachine having a frame carrying work fee'ding -and stitch -forming devices,za plura lity t of aligned bearings in said frame, xa main-operating shaft -fournaled in said bearings, and "connections from Lsa'id shaftim" operating said devices, the combination rof s :means' for lubricating said bearings and :said connections which comprises a'iliibricant "reservoir ".carrie'daby said -"frame above -said' shaft,' means for delivering llubricant from' said' reservoir: tosaid"connec tions, a flatzcapillary lubricantvconductingimember -carried by thenndersurface ofasaidr-reservoir and extending to points-adjacent 'said bearings, said member 2 being -arranged -to 1 receive excess lubricant thrown from said. connections, and means Eifordelivering" lubricant firom: said: member through said :bearings to the journaledxportionsof said "shaft.

=8. A sewing :machine and support :therefor which comprises:.a' tab1e top having a plurality of "recesses infthe su'pper face thereon-supporting elements positioned-in said recesses and having portions projecting therefrom, each of said elements including vibration absorbing 'means, a reservoir pan :mounte'd' on said 1proj ecting: portions of L saidr elements, a sewing 'machine having a hollow' framewith: a basevportion: mounted on and secured to 'saidmpan, a lubricant-reservoir in said frame; means for delivering lubricant from saidareservoir :to :a plurality:-ofcpoints withinsaid sewingmachine, said ipa-n having a sump' in" open communication with 1 the interior of 1 said frame and :arranged .to receive eexcess- :lubricant therefrom, a pump carried by said'iLpan"having an' 'intake 'rport connected with ?said sump and= 'discharge :porti :connected- 1 with" said 1 reservoir, and common-means 'ffor operating 'said '1 sewing machinecsandc'saidzzpump.

sReferencesiGitedin the -;file-of 2 this patent 

